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Better Homes & Gardens

This Designer Home is a Gorgeous Mix of Modern and Traditional

Paige Porter Fischer
2 min read

Interior designer Grant K. Gibson filled this 1906 San Francisco house with memorable details in every room. Pink chairs in the living room, striking blue wall paper in the dining room, and lavender trim in a bedroom are just a few of many examples within this home. The end result is an eclectic and glamorous design story that flows from room to room.

The pair of midcentury chairs in the living room got a young and fresh makeover with hot-pink leather. The bold color works because the rest of the colors in the room are more subdued: deep green drapes, pale blue velvet sofa, gray grasscloth walls. The art on the mantel ties the palette together and lends a little cheekiness. Shimmery sheens repeat on the ceiling and walls for extra interest. A beige patterned rug adds visual texture without competing color.

Sculptural Stools

Walnut barstools stand out like sculpture in this white kitchen. The slate gray island and ebony-stained floors give the chairs a dramatic, high-contrast backdrop. A marble countertop and round light fixtures add classic style to the room's modern accents.

More Marble Countertop Ideas

Pattern Wall

Grant designed this room around the wallpaper, balancing it with slick blue lacquered built-ins and a rustic farmhouse table. Grant says pairing an organic pattern like a floral with a geometric, such as the link pattern on the dining chairs, is a surefire combo. Streamlined elements likes the shelving unit on the wall and basic gold decor don't fight with the wallpapered accent wall.

Learn how to wallpaper like a pro.

High Contrast

Against dreamy lavender walls, graphic floral bedding already feels like an unusual choice. Lavender trim blends with the walls for a quiet backdrop. Grant took the idea of contrast a step further with the headboard. The clean-lined midcentury burlwood headboard works as a masculine counterpoint to the feminine bedding.

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Learn how to paint trim.

Metallic Tones

In-your-face color and pattern isn't the only way to make an impression. Visual impact comes from an extra-long waterfall front on the vanity. An intricate mosaic tile on the floor adds subtle interest. Back-lit mirrors above the sinks give a contemporary look, and gold faucets add warmth.

Gray Scale

In the kids' bath, Grant married three potentially competing patterns (subway tile, penny tile, and whale skeleton wallpaper) by limiting the palette to black and white. Dark grout emphasizes the shapes of the tiles without overwhelming the small space. Silver sconces and hardware complement the gray tones in the decor.

Learn how to install subway tile.

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